Thomas w



(No Model.)

T. W. PARKS. GAB. GOUPLING.

Patented Mar. 8

i 'iilllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII UNTTEE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS WV. PARKS, OF PARADISE, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO VILLIAM H. PHILLIPS AND SQUIRE A. PHILLIPS, OF SAME PLACE.

CARfCOUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,317, dated March 8, 1898.

Application filed August 3 1 8 9 7.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS WV. PARKS, residing at Paradise, in the county of 'Wise and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Car-Coupler, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in car-couplers, and has for its obj ect to provide a simple and effective device whereby cars may be automatically coupled together by the contact of their draw-heads and which may be uncoupled either from the top of the car or from the ground without the possibility of harm to the trainman.

My improved device is certain in its operation both as to the automatic action of coupling and the holding together of the cars after coupling. The mechanism for uncoupling is equally safe and expeditious. My mechanism may be applied to many existing draw-heads with but little alteration thereof.

In the drawings herewith forming a part of this specification, in which like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference, Figure lis a perspective view of a box-car equipped with my improved coupling. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the center of the draw-head and link. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the draw-head and coupler. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the link used in connection with my improved coupler.

A is the draw-head, secured to the car in the usual manner or otherwise.

B is the recess for the end of link C, the said link being preferably formed, as shown, solid and provided with beveled edge openings C in each end, the forward end of said openings being rounded as well as beveled.

The said draw-head A is provided with a rectangular or elliptical vertical slot D, eX- tending entirely through the draw head. Within said slot is pivoted a coupling pin or bar E upon a transverse lifting-bar G. The coupling-pin E is preferably formed,as shown, curved somewhat forwardly and narrowed at its lower end. It is pivoted upon G, so as to play freely back and forth in said slot D. The upper end is projected above the surface of the draw-head and is maintained in a backwardly-drawn position by means of a spiral Serial No. 646,958. (No model.)

spring F, suitably secured between the upper end of said pin and the buffer-beam N. The said bar G in the portion over the draw-head A is formed as a loop, and its ends are thence led backwardly and then longitudinally along the buffer-beam N, pivotally secured thereon by means of keepers M. The ends G are bent to form cranks, whereby the central loop portion may be lifted upwardly,and its movement in that direction is limited by means of the staple or keeper H, secured transversely of the draw-head A, the loop portion of G pass ing beneath said staple. The said staple H is of sulcient height to permit the loop on G to be drawn upwardly to an extent equal to the depth of the recess B, thereby serving to raise the coupling pin or bar E out of engagement with the link C, whether said link is resting on the bottom of the recess B or in the upper portion thereof. The pin E being drawn clear of recess B, the link will be free. I neXt provide a vertical rod K, secured slidably in keepers L to the end wall of the car, said rod having its upper end formed into a liftingloop K and having its lower end bent successively to form right angles, as shown, the extreme end being looped under one of the lateral portions of the loop formed upon the lifting-bar G over the draw-head A.

The operation of my improved coupler is so simple as to require but little explanation. When the draw-heads of two cars are brought together,the link O,projecting from one drawhead, will enter the recess B of the opposite draw-head and push backwardly the lower end of the pin or bar E until it enters the opening C in the link, upon which the lower end of the pin E will spring forwardly by reason of the resilient action of the spring F drawing the upper end of the pin rearwardly, thus securely coupling the draw heads together. When it is desired to uncouple the cars, the crank G' upon either end of the bar G is moved forwardly,which will lift the loop and pin E. When operated from the top, the rod K is simply held suspended by means of the handle K until the link C is drawn out of the recess B. The operation of the horizontal bar G does not affect the vertical bar K. As shown herein, the bar K is secured ap- IOC ' cal rod K would, of course, b e omitted.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by means of Letters Patent, is Y l. The combination ina car-coupler of the recessed draw-head having the vertical slot extending therethrough, an operating-shaft having a central crank portion, a couplingpin intermediately pivoted upon said crank portion and movable Within the vertical slot of the draw-head, and a spring connected at one end to the pin and at its opposite end to the draw-head or car, said spring serving to hold the coupling-pin norm ally resting against the forward wall of the vertical slot, substantially as set forth.

2. In a car-coupler, the combination of the recessed draw-head having a vertical passage therethrough, an operating-shaft having a central crank portion, a coupling-pin intermediately pivoted to said crank portion and movable Within the vertical passage, a spring attached at one end to the upper end of the pin and at its opposite end to the draw-head or car, and an operating-lever movable vertically, said lever having its upper end positoned adjacent to the top of the car, and having its lower bent end to extend beneath the crank portion of the operating-shaft, so that when said vertical lever israised the pin will be withdrawn from the link, and when the crank is operated, the pin will also be withdrawn, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination in a car-coupler, of a recessed draw head, a link provided with openings at each end adapted to enter said Y recess, acoupling pin or bar pivoted in a vertical slot extending ythrough said draw-head, a spring adapted to maintain said pin in a nearly vertical position, a horizontal bar pivoted upon the-buffer-head and provided with a central loop in pivotal connection with the coupling-pin whereby the same may be lifted upwardly by the partial rotation of said bar, and a vertical bar in sliding connection with the end wall of the car and in pivotal connection withv said looped portion of the horizontal bar whereby said loop may be lifted from the top of the car, the whole constructed, arranged and adapted for operation substantially as herein shown and set forth.

T. w. PARKS.

Witnesses? I-I. E. SUMMERS, J. D. HARMS. 

